Renegade Tea Estate

Lots of leaves, small gaiwan.

The dry leaves are really exciting. Strong aromas of baked cookies, ripe bananas.

The wet leaves display quite a different aroma profile. I get dark tones reminiscent of black tea: wood, malt. No sweetness.

First steep. Quite mellow in flavours. The tea is juicy, I get some wood, the fruity banana hits me more in the aftertaste.

Second steep. Lower temperature, longer steep time. Still juicy, I lose most of the wood, I get more of the fruit. A bit more pleasant acidity as well. Overall quite light.

Third steep still pleasant, but definitely losing in strength.

Fourth steep, the tea is almost dead.

Small gaiwan, lots of leaves, boiling water.

Dry leaves: sweet, cookie like.

Wet leaves: wood, chestnuts, slight sweetness. Gaiwan lid is really sweet. Leaves are mid sized, tender but slightly thick, dark leather colour, really nice quality. Barely any sings of breaking.

Liquor colour: dark amber

Liquor scent: very sweet, honey,

Taste: Smooth, warming black tea. Sweet, light in aromas, with hints of tannin, dry wooden notes at the back, giving some character to the tea. Nothing unpleasant.

Second steep bring out more character. A slight hint of pleasant bitterness rounds the tea. More wood, darker flavours. Not sweet, but juicy. Drying on the throat. Heavy on the tongue.

Third steep is smoother in texture, less intense. But more wood. Thick bark.

Fourth steep is still very generous in flavours. Even more balanced I’d say. Tannin leaves space to more sweetness coming back through.

Fifth steep start to show signs of dying, but still pleasant.